Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rutherford County social workers tell commissioners caseloads exceed state guidance; call for pay and retention fixes
Summary
Multiple Department of Social Services employees told the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners they face chronic understaffing, with foster-care and in‑home supervisors reporting caseloads double the recommended size and urging local leaders to review pay and retention options.
Several employees of Rutherford County Department of Social Services told the Board of Commissioners during the public‑comment period that the agency is experiencing a staffing crisis that they say is jeopardizing child safety and worker well‑being.
An unidentified social worker who identified themself as a county DSS employee said staff are “overworked” and urged commissioners to consider using salary savings from unfilled positions for retention measures. The speaker said foster‑care workers are carrying “astronomical caseloads” and described more than 200 children in the county’s care.
Anitra McKinney, identified as a Rutherford County DSS employee and foster‑care supervisor, told the board her foster‑care staff are carrying “30 plus cases” when the state statute calls for no more than 15. McKinney said supervisors are filling gaps without extra compensation and that she is currently the only foster‑care supervisor handling “150 plus cases.”
“Right now I am the only foster care supervisor, which means that I'm carrying the whole caseload, which is a 150 plus cases, and I don't get any compensation,” McKinney said.
Ashley Earl, who said she supervises in‑home services and child welfare, described a staffing collapse on her team: four social‑worker positions left between August and September, leaving her to cover for the team for weeks. Earl said in‑home cases include severe substance‑use and mental‑health concerns that place children at higher risk when teams are understaffed.
“My entire team…all 4 of my social workers left DSS,” Earl said. “For about 6 weeks, I covered the entire team…The kids are just at a greater risk.”
Commissioners and DSS representatives clarified governance and pay processes in a follow‑up exchange. A county representative said counties set salary rates within ranges provided by the state; DSS staff said some employees left for state‑contracted positions that do not require after‑hours on‑call duty. DSS said its governing board has discussed bonuses and is studying salary ranges to present to county leadership for review.
The comments did not include specific board commitments; staff said some steps are already under review and that the DSS governing board has considered bonuses and a study of pay ranges. Commissioners did not take an immediate action during the meeting but acknowledged the concerns and the separate governance structure for the DSS board.
